Green Spring Gardens

[ 4603 Green Spring Road ][ Alexandria, VA 22312 ][ 703-642-5173 ]

Green Spring Gardens Master Planning Process to Start
The Fairfax County Park Authority has started a public planning
process that will update the master plan for Green Spring Gardens. This
process will help determine how newly acquired acreage along Green
Spring Road could be best used. The Park Authority invites the public
to lend its voice to the decision-making process. To learn more, visit
Green Spring
Gardens Master Plan Revision.

Green Spring Gardens is a "must visit" for everyone in the
metropolitan Washington, D.C. area. It's a year-round gold mine of
information and inspiration for the home gardener. It's an outdoor classroom for
children and their families to learn about plants and wildlife. It's
also a museum, a
national historic
site that offers glimpses into a long, rich history with
colonial origins.

There's something here for everyone: a wooded stream valley with
ponds, a naturalistic native plant garden, over 20 thematic
demonstration gardens, a greenhouse filled with tropicals, and a
well-stocked horticultural reference library. Visit the Garden Gate Plant Shop and
our two gift shops where you'll find gift ideas ranging from books and
gardening gloves to china and wind chimes. Green Spring will educate,
inspire, and delight you. The gardens are always changing, so come back
often for new ideas.

Green Spring Gardens serves Fairfax County residents and visitors by
advancing the awareness and practice of gardening. The gardens and
educational
programs focus on practical landscaping techniques that are
appropriate for the Washington metro area. Additional programs
emphasize historic influences on the land and Fairfax County residents'
role in preserving cultural resources. Open to the public are a
horticulture center, library, demonstration gardens, a historic
landscape and buildings, and a wooded stream valley with ponds. Park
grounds open from dawn to dusk.

Gardens: Gardens featuring a wide variety of trees, shrubs,
vines, perennials, annuals, bulbs, and vegetables provide ideas and
inspiration for the home gardener.

Horticulture Center: Visit the greenhouse and shop for plants,
gardening tools (staff favorites) and other useful gifts and gardening
items. The Green Spring Library is open daily. This non-circulating
library features horticulture books and magazines, plant society
newsletters and a community kiosk filled with information about local
horticultural events. For hours and more information, call
703-642-5173.

Green Spring was donated to Fairfax County in 1970 by Michael and
Belinda Straight. The Straights purchased the property in 1942 and made
several modifications to the 1784 historic house and accompanying
gardens. The landscape around the Straight home was that of a
"gentleman farmer" and was used primarily for entertaining.
Designed by Beatrix Farrand, the gardens included boxwood hedging,
roses, and perennial borders.